The Eclipse Woods is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 31.0′, the Eclipse Woods tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.0′ LWL = 7.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
29.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
91
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
5.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
4.25
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
13lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
5.7
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
4.25
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Eclipse Woods sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Catalina 320
153s/nm
Moody 33 Eclipse
177s/nm
Pearson 33 2
177s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.2 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.2 |
6.6 |
7.4 |
8.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (29.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Eclipse Woods — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Eclipse Woods.
|
Eclipse Woods |
Catalina 320 |
First 325 Beneteau |
Moody 33 Eclipse |
Pearson 33 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.5 |
32.5 |
32.5 |
32.5 |
32.5 |
| LWL |
31.0 |
28.0 |
27.9 |
28.0 |
26.3 |
| Beam |
19.4 |
11.8 |
11.1 |
11.2 |
11.0 |
| Displacement |
6 |
11 |
9 |
12 |
11 |
| Ballast |
— |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
613 |
520 |
440 |
448 |
515 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
153 |
— |
177 |
177 |
| SA/Disp |
29.6 |
16.6 |
15.5 |
13.4 |
16.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
35.4 |
38.6 |
33.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
5.7 |
22.4 |
20.9 |
26.4 |
24.8 |
| Capsize |
4.25 |
2.10 |
2.08 |
1.93 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
6.9 |